Motor driven lawn mower and weed topper



March 2, 1943.

R. UNDERHILL MOTOR DRIVEN LAWN MOWER AND WEED TOPPER FiledNov. 18, 19405 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTdR (#42155 gun/059mm ATTORNEY M2 1943- c. R.UNDERHILL.

MOTOR DRIVEN LAWN MOWER AND WEED TOPPER 5 Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 18,194o u... m 0 mm E0 MW e m m 6 ATTORNEY Mu-c112, 1943.

c. UNDERHILL MOTOR DRIVEN LAWN MOWER AND WEED TOPPER I Filed Nov.18,1940 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR a M a P N M m Km Rh 5 Z 2, 1943.- R.UNDER H ILL MO TOR DRIVEN LAWN MOWER AND WEED TOPPER Fiied Nov. 18, 19405' Sheets-Sheet 4 m s &

INVENTOR 67/144 15; e QNDEEH/ZL ATTORNEY Much 1943 c. R. UNDERHILL MOTORDRIVEN LAWN MOWER AND WEED- TOPP ER I Fi1ed- Nov. 18,1940 5 Sheets-Sheet5 INVENTOR (IL/417155 e UNDFPIV/ZZ BY I E ATTORNEY I 1 Patented Mar.2,1943v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Moron muvEN n r owEn-mn Charles R.Underhill, Lower Bank, N. J.

Applicatiou '6 Claims.

This invention relates to a motor driven lawn mower and weed topper. Itis particularly directed to a motor driven lawn mower comprising arotary blade cutter and a weed topping oscillatory cutting mechanism forgeneral use on moderate and fairly large lawns.

An object of this invention is to providea mo-' tor driven lawn mowerand weed topper of. the character described provided with a gasoleneengine to rotate the traction wheels, operate the rotary cutting bladeand to oscillate the weed cutter mechanism, the lawn mower being furtherprovided with a ground engaging roller and being tiltable to positionwhere it is supported on said roller, so that the lawn mower may bemoved backward, and also to permit the motor to be started without thetraction wheels engaging the ground.

. A further object of this inventionis to' provide a device or thecharacter described having a pair of ground engaging traction wheelsprovided with November 18, 1940, Serial No. 366,155

(01.56-25) ward by its steering handle faster than the normay be pulledbackwardeither while the motor internal gears, the' motor beingconnected through a speed reducing mechanism'to a shaft on which aremounted the pinions meshing with said internal gears, said shaftcarrying the cutter blades, and said device being provided with an otherpinion meshing with one of the internal gears for oscillating the weedcutter.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide in a device of thecharacter described, arotary cutter shaft driven directly from the motoror engine and carrying pinions meshing with internal gears on the groundengaging traction wheels, the oscillatory weed cutter being driven byanother internal gear on one of the traction wheels.

Yet a further-object of this invention is to provide in a device of thecharacter described, belt means to connect the motor with the rotarycutter shaft to permit temporary slippage oi the belt in the event thatthe rotary cutter gets stuck, thus reducing shocks and strains on therespective cutters and associate mechanisms. and also to permit thecutter to be stopped to remove obstacles without stopping the motor,thus saving time and bother of restarting the-motor.

Yet another object oi this invention is to promechanism is running orwith the power off by pressing down on the steering handle of saidmower, so that the mower rests on a customary rear roller, whereby themower may be permitted to run close to an obstruction and then be pulledbackward.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described, in which the transverse tie rod' which holdstogether the side frames of the mower. serves to support the -fuel tankand engine, means being further pro-' vided to resiliently support theengine on said rod to take up strains, shocks and vibrations.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a device of thecharacter described, a steering handle pivoted to a transverse tie rodwhich is located rearwardly of the axis of the traction wheels, so-thatthe steering handle may be held in any desired position, even standing rvertically, and also to permit making turns close to buildings orfences, means being provided fur-- thermore to limit rotation of thesteering handle in opposite directions.

Ii-the-ground traction wheels were driven, directly by the motor, thelawn mower could not be pushed forward by. its steering handle when themotor is not running because of the compression in the cylinder of theengine, and the' lawn mower could not be pulled backward by the steeringhandle with the ground traction wheels in contact with the ground whenthe motor is not running. However, by directly driving the rotary cuttershaft through the motor and driving the traction wheels through pinions'on the cutter shait clutch connected thereto, .the' mower can be pushedforward. at any time, but the rotary cutterwill not be operated whenpushing the mower, if the motor isnot-running and the mower can bepulled backward byits steering handle with the mower resting on its tearroller and theoscillatory cutter can be manually operated by vide in adevice of the character described,'means adjacent the handle of the lawnmower to regulate the choke ior the gasolene engine. Yet a furtherobject of this invention is to provide a. device of the characterdescribed, which may be manually pushed forward by its steering handlewhen the motor is connected, but not running, and which may bemanuallypushed ior-- is not running. a Yet another object 01 thisinvention-is to propushing on the steering handle when the '-motorcharacter described, which shall be relatively in-' expensive tomanufacture, cheap to operate, easy to handle, smooth and positive inoperation, and

vide a strong, rugged and compact device of the f "practical and eqcient to a hi h degree in userv and I2, 'is a transverse shaft 28.

Fig. 1 is a topplan view of a combination lawn mower and top weed cutterembodying the invention;. a

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l:

Fi 3 is a top plan view of the steeringhandle and motor cpntrol;

Fig. 3a is an enlarged view taken on line 3a-3a of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Fig. 5 is across-sectional view taken on line Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional viewtaken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig.1;

Fig. 8 is across-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

metrical brackets 36, on which are adiustably mounted for verticalmovement, sliding brackets 31 carrying therebetween a rear wooden roller38. Brackets 36 are formed with vertical slots 49, and brackets 31 areprovided with bolts 4I passing through the slots 49 to fix the axis ofthe roller in various adjusted positions.

' Pivoted as at 44, to the inner sides of the frames I2 and I3, aremetal bars 46 interconnected by .atransverse tie rod 41, parallel to theti rod I4.

Interoonnecting the outer ends of the bar 46, by pivotal connections,are strap members 48, to which the steering post 59 is attached. At theouter end of the steering post is fixed a transverse handle 5I.

The straps 48 may be pivotally attached to the bars 46 in variousadiusted positions. Motion of straps-4B are limited by brackets 53.Mounted on the tie rod I4 are spacer sleeves 55 and 56. Mounted on saidtie rod, adjacent the spacer sleeve 56, in a U-shaped bracket 51. Boltedto the top 0f the U-shaped bracket 51, as at 5111,

Fi 10 is a cross-sectional view taken .on line Fig. 11 is across-sectional view taken on line I I--I.I of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the method of driving thecutter shaft and traction wheels from the motor shaft, and illustratinga modified form of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, and illustrating a furthermodified construction;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12, and illustrating still anotherform of the invention; and

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 12, and illustrating yet another formof drive, embodying the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I9

designates a motor driven combination lawn mower and top weed cutterembodying the invention. The same comprises a pair of similar,symmetrically disposed, side frames I2 and I3, interconnected by atransverse tie rod I4. The

' frames I2 and I3 are circular, and rotatably mounted thereon, aretraction wheels I6 and I1 carrying annular internal gears I8 and I9. Thewheels I6 and I1 carry treads lie and Na adapted to engage the ground.Extending forwardly from the side frames I2 and I3, and 2Iinterconnected by a transverse ribbed plate 22, parallel to the tie rodI4.

are brackets 29 Journalled on and between the side frames I2 Rotatablymounted on the ends of shaft 23, are pinions 24 meshing with theinternal gears I8 and I9 and connected to said shaft by one way clutches26. v

the shaft 22 is a rotary blade grass Mounted on cutter 28, carrying theusual curved plates 29 operating against platen cutter 39, fixed as at3!, to brackets 32 rotatably mounted on the frame, as

on pins 33. Brackets 22 may be held against ro-- tation in adjustedposition by screw stops 34, in the well known manner.

Extending rearwardly from the side frames 12 and I3. and integrallyformed therewith, are, symis the base 58 of the engine 19. Bolted to therear end of the base 58, as by bolts 59, is an offset bracket 69 havinga portion 6i disposed above the tie rod 41. On tie rod 41 is a rubbersleeve 63 disposed below portion SI of bracket 69. Screwed to saidportion 6| of said bracket, is a vertical screw 64, the lower end ofwhich contacts the rubber sleeve 63. Connected to said portion 6I ofsaid bracket, are the outer ends of a coil tension spring- 66 whichpasses beneath the tie rod. The screw 64 adjusts the tension of beltspring 66.

The 'gasolene engine 19 has a driven'shaft 1I carrying a pulley 12. Onshaft 23 is a pulley 16 of larger diameter than pulley 12. The pulleys16 and 12 are interconnected by a belt 11.

It will now be understood that the motor drivespulley 12 which hencedrives the shaft 23 through the pulley 16 to rotate the rotary bladecutter 28. Shaft 23, furthermore, rotates the traction wheels throughthe clutches 26, pinions 24 and internal gears I8 and I9. When the motoris not running, the lawn mower, may be pushed forwardly. Said tractionwheels can rotate even when the motor is not running by reason of, theclutch mechanisms 26.

To pull the lawn mower back, the steering handle is pushed downwardlyagainst suitable stops 89 on the side frames I2 and I3, to tilt the lawnmower about the rear roller 38. Upon moving the steering handle towardsvertical position, the latter revolves about rod 41. Stops 8| aresupplementary stops, unnecessary when the ed to portion 92, by bolt 93,is a clip 94, for the,

purpose hereinafter appearing.

Mounted on the rear tie rod 41, and aligned with bracket 99, is anotherbracket. 95 having a rolled portion 98 surrounding said tie rod, and

a forwardly extending horizontal portion 99 aligned with portion 92 ofbracket 99. Bolted to portion 99 of bracket 95, as by bolt I99, is aclip I9I. Mounted on the portions 92 and 99 of brackets 99 and 95, is afuel tank'l93 havin an outwardly extendingrolled edge I94 at itslowerend. On said rolled edge I94, is a wire rod I surrounding the tankand engaged by the clips 94 and IIII. The fuel tank is thus supported onthe brackets 90 and 95.

Slidably mounted on the plate 22 is a weed- I cutter IIU having inclinedV-shaped blades 1 I I. Forwardly extending parallel prongs II2 are castintegrally with plate 22. The blades I II are attached to a bar II4slidably mounted 'in a groove H5 in the-supporting plate 22.- The bladesIII coact with portions of the prongs II2 to cut the weeds. Fixed to theplate 22, as by screws 22a,

are two guide plates 22b overlapping the cutter III) to retain the bar II 4 within the groove I'I5.

Means is provided to'oscillate the cutter H0 when the lawn mower movesforwardly either with the motor on or off. To this'end, side frame I3 isprovided with'a bearing I20, in which is journalied a. shaft I2I.Mounted on said shaft and connected thereto, by clutch I22, is a pinionI23 meshing with the internal gear I9. 0n the I shaft I 2| is a bevelgear I25. Extending from the It will thus be seen that there provided adevice in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, andwhich is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use. a y

-As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown 'in theaccompanying bearing I20 is a stud shaft I26, disposed at right anglesto the shaft I2I, androtatably mounted thereon, is a sleeve I21 carryinga bevel gear I28 meshing with the bevel gear I25. Sleeve I21 is providedwith an offset arm I30 carrying a pin I3I. Interconnecting the pin IBIwith a bracket I32 fixed to the cutter III), is 'a connectv ing rod I34.

It will now be understood that when the traction wheels rotate, thepinion I23 is rotated to push shaft I2 I, bevel gear I25, and bevel gearI28, causing oscillation of the connecting rod I34 and hencereciprocation of the cutter I III.

The engine 10 is provided with a usual choke I40, to which there isconnected an operating rod. I4I extending lengthwise of the steeringhandle post 50. Attached to the outer end of the rod I, is a cable I42,one end of which is wound on a winch I43. The winch is formed with aplurality of outwardly. extending finger engaging arms I44. The winch islocated near the handle 5i, so that the operator may turn the winch topull on the cable I42 and regulatethe choke, whereby to control theengine. The

winch I43 is provided with a spiral spring which normally takes up theslackof cable I42.

' prising a. pair ofannular coaxial frames, a tie drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A device of the character described com-' prising a pair of annularcoaxial frames, a handle pivoted thereto, a member on said handleparallel to the axis of said frames, a tie rod interc'onnecting saidframes, 9, pair of tractionwheels rotatably mounted on said frames,internal gears on said traction wheels androtatable therewith, atransverse shaft parallel to the axis of said frames and spacedtherefrom, a pair of pinions meshing with said internal gears, saidpinions being journalled on the ends of said shaft and connected to saidshaft by one-way clutches, a motor pivoted on said tie rod andresiliently attached to said member, and means interconnecting saidshaft vand'motor to rotate said shaft when the motor is running, andblade cutters on said shaft and rotatable therewith.

2. A device of the character described comrod interconnecting saidframes, a pair of traction wheels rotatably mounted on said frames,internal gears on said traction wheels and rotatable therewith, atransverse shaft parallel to the axis of said frames and spacedtherefrom,

, a pair of pinions meshing with said internal Referring now to Fig. 12,there is shown a machine similar to the machine, I0, with the exceptionthat the engine shaft 'II is connected by the belt TI to a pulley I50 onthe shaft III. With this construction, the drive is from the engineshaft through shaft I2I which turns the traction wheels, and saidtraction wheels in turn rotate the pinions 24 to operate the rotaryblade cutter.

Thus, one traction wheel is driven directly, and the other indirectly.Furthermore, in Fig. 12,

the pulley I50 is somewhat greater than the .pulley I2 on the engineshaft.

In Fig. 13, the structure is similar to Fig. 12, with the exception thatpulley I500, replaces pulley I50 and is of larger diameter. In Fig. 14,the traction wheels are interconnected by a central shaft I55, on whichis mounted a pulley I55 connected through belt I51 to the pulley I2 onengine shaft I I. Rotation of the traction wheels causes rotation of-thepinions 24 and I23.

In Fig. 15 the motor shaft is designated by numeral Ila, and is spacedfrom and parallel'to shaft II. On said shafts are pulleys I60 and I6I.

interconnectedby a belt I 62. On shaft II is a second pulley I2connected by belt 11 to a pulley -15 on the cutter shaft 28. Otherwise,the structure is similar to the device I (I.

gears, said pinions being journalled on the ends of said shaft andconnected to said shaft by clutches, a motor supported on said tie rod,and means interconnecting said shaft and motor to rotate said shaft whenthe motor is running,

rotatably mounted on said frames, internal gears on said tractionwheels, a pair of pinions meshing with said internal gears, said pinionsbeing journalled on the ends of a transverse shaft parallel to said tierod and connected to said shaft by one-way clutches, a steering handlepivoted to said frames, a'transverse rod on said handle, parallel tosaid first rod, a support pivoted to said first rod, resilient meansconnecting said support to said second rod, a motor mounted on saidsupport, and means'interconnecting said shaft and motor to rotate saidshaft when the motor is running, blade cutters onsaid shaft,

-and means on the steering handle to control said motor. 1

4. 'A device of the character described comprising a frame, tractionwheels rotatably mounted thereon, a'rotary blade cutter mounted thereon,a motor on said frame, means on the motor to drive said rotary bladecutter, and means including a clutch mechanism to drive said tracbladecutter is rotated, a top weed cutter, and means including a clutchmechanism to drive said weed cutter from said traction wheels, I

5. A device of the character described comprising a frame, tractionwheels rotatably mounted thereon, a rotary blade cutter mounted thereon,a motor on said frame, means on the motor to drive said rotary bladecutter, clutch means connecting said blade cutter to said tractionwheels, to drive said traction wheels when said rotary blade cutter isrotated and permitting said traction wheels to rotate when the cutterblades are not being rotated by said motor, a reciprocating top weedcutter on said frame, and clutch means interconnecting said tractionwheels to said top weed cutter to reciprocate said top weed cutter uponrotating said traction wheels and be rolled rearwardly without operatingsaid top weed cutter. e.

permitting said tractionwheels to '8.v A device of the characterdescribed, com

prising a pair of co-axial frames, means to 'interconnect said frames, apair of traction wheels rotatably mounted on said framesvand disposedco-axially therewith, internal gears on said traction wheels, likewiseco-axial with said wheels and rotatable therewith, a transverse shaftparallel to the axis of said frames and wheels, and spaced therefrom. apair of pinions meshifl! withsaid internal gears, saidpinions beingJournalled on the ends of said shaft and connected to said shaft byclutches, a motor supported on said frame, means interconnecting themotor to the shaft torotate said shaft when the motor is running, bladecutters 'on said shaft and rotatable therewith, an with one of saidinternal gears, a shaft on said pinion, 'a top weed cutter supported 'bysaid frames, and means connected to the last shaft to oscillate said topweed cutter.

= CHARLES R.'UNDERHI1L.

additional pinion meshing

